Intermediate Bronze Age Crescent-Headed Figures in the Negev Highlands

This paper presents the discovery of a unique and widespread type petroglyphs in Western Negev Highlands, depicting human figures with crescent-shaped headgear, knee-high garments, crescent pommel daggers. It proposes methodology for dating this style its historical context by: (1) analysis presence or absence specific animal species engraved scenes; (2) examination occurrence particular attributes that appear scenes within dated contexts across ancient Near East; (3) study fit between incised panels’ locations distribution archaeological sites region routes connecting them. Based on composite analysis, it is proposed these are associated groups participating copper trade operated Sinai-Negev-Edom during Intermediate Bronze Age (ca. 2500–2000 b.c.e.).